Christopher Helali interviews Peace Activist Martha Hennessy Martha Hennessey is a longtime anti-war activist and the granddaughter of Dorothy Day, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. She is 62, a retired occupational therapist, and grandmother of eight. She has been arrested and imprisoned protesting nuclear power, war, the use of drones, the torture of … [Read more...] about ‘The Only Logic of Trident is Omnicide’
military-industrial complex
Conscientious Objection
When a person refuses to participate in war or other hostilities on moral grounds, he or she is a 'conscientious objector', or 'C.O.'. It is not for those who are afraid of being hurt or killed, it is for those who have a moral objection to war, to the use of violence and killing to achieve political goals. The right to refuse is based at least partly on the idea that people … [Read more...] about Conscientious Objection
Two Republicans Who Saw the Danger
Among the many Republican presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower anticipated the current self-reinforcing aggregation of wealth and power to corporations and the already-wealthy. In 1864, in a letter to William F. Elkins, Lincoln wrote: “As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power … [Read more...] about Two Republicans Who Saw the Danger
Why All the Fuss About Cutting Spending is Nonsense!
One of the videos in Tom Ulrich's email the other day shows former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich giving a clear, easy-to-understand explanation of what happened to the economy and why—in only 2 minutes! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTzMqm2TwgE In later posts to his blog, Reich covers two related concerns: Why Medicare Is the Solution, Not the Problem The … [Read more...] about Why All the Fuss About Cutting Spending is Nonsense!
Violence Against Women in the U.S. Military
Even more than harm from the enemy, women in the military are in danger of sexual assault by their comrades in arms. Studies by the Veterans Administration and others indicate that about one-third of women serving in the military are victims of sexual assault by other military personnel, including their superiors. It's hard to believe that the military is not capable of … [Read more...] about Violence Against Women in the U.S. Military
School of the Americas
The School of the Americas, renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, is located at Fort Benning, Georgia. For decades it has operated as a combat training school for soldiers from Central & South America, training Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence, and … [Read more...] about School of the Americas
What Is the Military Doing in Your School?
Schools are supposed to help children learn, but too many schools simply reinforce unquestioning obedience and respect for the powers that be—and some schools support the military recruiting machine against the educational and personal interests of their students. Recruiters in the schools– No Child Left Alone – The so-called "No Child Left Behind" Act requires schools to … [Read more...] about What Is the Military Doing in Your School?
What is Militarism?
From military recruiting and testing in the schools to movies and television, militarism has become a prominent part of culture in the United States. Essentially, militarism means relying on military force for security and glorifying military service and values. Placing too high a value on obedience, procedure, or 'the end justifies the means' tends to foster or support … [Read more...] about What is Militarism?
Misconduct by Recruiters
Wars and occupation by U.S. forces have increased the pressure on recruiters, and government reports show a dramatic increase in the number of incidents of misconduct by recruiters, ranging from omitting important facts to helping young people cheat to sexual assault on students. Contact us by email for more information on recruiter misconduct. … [Read more...] about Misconduct by Recruiters
Military Testing in Our Schools
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) What Students, Parents, and Educators Should Know about Military Testing in High Schools NOTE: According to the Pennsylvania School Code, schools must inform parents and obtain their written permission before giving tests like the ASVAB. The notice must disclose the real purpose of the test, why it is being given in school, who … [Read more...] about Military Testing in Our Schools